Carol Sabbeth - Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Their Lives and Ideas, 24 Activities

To my brother, John Landstrom

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Sabbeth, Carol, 1957

Frida Kahlo and Diego Riveratheir lives and ideas:

24 activities / Carol Sabbeth.1st ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 1-55652-569-9

1. ArtStudy and teaching (Elementary)Activity programs.

2. Kahlo, FridaAppreciation. 3. Rivera, Diego, 18861957Appreciation. I. Title.

ND350.S25 2005

759.972dc22

2004024525

Cover and interior design: Joan Sommers Design

Interior illustrations: TJ Romero

2005 Carol Sabbeth

All rights reserved

First edition

Published by Chicago Review Press, Incorporated 814 North Franklin Street

Chicago, Illinois 60610

ISBN 1-55652-569-9

Printed in China

5 4 3 2 1

About the Author

Carol Sabbeth presents art workshops to children and teachers throughout the United States. She also performs as a storyteller, bringing art history to life by impersonating famous women artists. She teaches at the American School of Pariss summer program, and is author of Monet and the Impressionists for Kids, Crayons and Computers, and Kids Computer Creations. She lives in Roswell, Georgia, with her husband, Alex.

A heartfelt thanks to those who have shared their knowledge, enthusiasm, and support. Sylvia Inwood, Linda and Michael Margolin, Lucilla Ruvalcaba, Alyson Plotsky, Angela Villalba, Elena Climent, and Laura Brannen contributed their time and expertise. As always, I appreciate the creative and professional talent of Cynthia Sherry and Lisa Rosenthal, along with Gerilee Hundt, Allison Felus, and Brooke Kush. And to Joan Sommers and Sommers Design. A big thank you to Ira Gonzalez. Born in Mexico City, she was a great advisor and ambassador for her country. And to her mother, Maricarmen Vargas de Gonzalez. Last, to my husband, Alex, who shared his talent and enthusiasm every step of the way. Muchas gracias mis amigos.

O n a quiet street in Mexico City theres a bright blue house called the Casa Azul. Even though nobody lives there, visitors flock to the house. Today, its a museum. Sixty or so years ago, it was home to Mexicos two most celebrated artists, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

Imagine strolling by the house on Londres Street on a warm Mexican evening in the summer of 1941. You will find a magical environment hidden behind these vivid blue walls. Stepping through the doorway, you enter the garden. A parrot might land on top of your head and welcome you with an enthusiastic call in Spanish. A baby deer might leap across your path as a cat nuzzles your ankles. Meanwhile, an energetic monkey will likely climb into your arms to give you a hug.

As you pass through the lush garden filled with caged songbirds and ancient stone carvings, you hear raucous laughter coming from inside the house. Peeking into an open window, you might spy a lively group gathered around the table. A huge mountain of a man is holding court. Thats Diego Rivera. Hes probably entertaining his guests with a dramatic tall talemost likely about himself. Or maybe the conversation is about politics. Whatever the topic, his petite wife, Frida Kahlo, will loudly interject her own comments, or she may even break into one of her beloved corridos (Mexican folk songs).

Perhaps youll recognize some of the guests. Mexicos most beautiful movie star, Dolores del Rio, is sitting next to American gangster film star Edward G. Robinson. Other guests are French surrealist Andr Breton and one of the richest men in America, John D. Rockefeller. Art lovers and artists the world over made it a point to visit Kahlo and Rivera whenever they traveled to Mexico.

If Fulang-Chang, one of Kahlos pet monkeys, spots a juicy piece of fruit, watch out! Hell leap out of your arms and right onto the table. Grabbing the fruit, hell quickly make off with his bounty. Such a sight will only surprise first-time visitors; others will be thankful that Bonito (Kahlos pet parrot) isnt waddling his way through the treats, nibbling at everyones plate. Meanwhile, the hosts will delight in the antics of their guests and their pets.

Like the artists who lived there, the Casa Azul was anything but dull.

Frida Kahlo was actually born at the Casa Azul. Diego Rivera was born in Guanajuato, a beautiful town in the mountains of Mexico. They lived during a time when Mexico was undergoing many changes, including a revolution. Both Rivera and Kahlo were politically active. They were determined to do whatever they could to improve their country. Most of all, they wanted poor people to have better lives.

To show his concern, Rivera made bold statements through his art. He painted huge murals in Mexico and the United States. He used his paintbrush to give life to his ideas about social issues. Sometimes, his painting got him into trouble. Controversy followed him everywhere ... and he loved it!

In addition to murals, Rivera also painted many canvases, often showing the dignity of Mexicos poor. Some of his most famous paintings are of Mexican peasants carrying baskets filled with flowers.

Although Kahlo was politically outspoken, her art was more personal. Her small paintings, many of them self-portraits, are packed with emotion. She loved life and had a wild, playful personality. In her colorful native Mexican costumes and dazzling silver and jade jewelry, she looked like a work of art herself.

Kahlo and Rivera were two of the worlds most celebrated artists. Why was Riveras art so controversial? What caused Kahlo to paint her dreamlike, and sometimes sad, pictures? Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera tells you about the artists lives, their art, and their ideas. It also creates a portrait of the ways in which Mexico influenced their art.

Youll learn what it was like to live in Mexico 100 years ago. During this time, artists such as Jos Guadalupe Posada created wonderful works. Hes famous for his playful cartoons that feature skeletons. Youll see how he (and his creation Catrina) influenced the art of Kahlo and Rivera.

Other Mexican artists inspired Kahlo and Rivera as well. Youll learn how Rivera collected the art of the Aztecs, Mayans, and other ancient Mexican cultures. He gave lectures proclaiming the talents of the ancient artisans, and he built a museum to honor them. Youll find out about Kahlos favorite type of art, Mexican folk art. Youll also visit the outdoor market and celebrate Kahlos favorite Mexican holidays, such as Day of the Dead.

The artists traveled to other countries too. See the murals and hear the stories behind Riveras San Francisco, Detroit, and New York frescoes. And watch Kahlos rise to fame in the United States and Europe.

Throughout the book are 24 activities inspired by Kahlo, Rivera, and the nation of Mexico. Try them out as you learn about two fabulous artists who caused quite a stir during their lifetimes and who continue to inspire and fascinate us today.